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Old 11-07-2014, 10:22 PM   #1
Ozark Tim
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Painting a rubber floor mat

Has anyone ever painted a rubber floor mat to replace an original color keyed mat. The blue on my original is rather faded and I would like to do it right if anyone has suggestions.
Thanks for any help
Tim
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Old 11-07-2014, 10:25 PM   #2
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

I'm wanting to do this to my truck as well
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Old 11-07-2014, 10:52 PM   #3
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

I almost did. Actually got the vinyl paint mixed and all. Just ran out of time. Still might do it. I did paint my interior door panels and all. Here's a recent pic. Holding up great. More pics in my build thread.

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Old 11-07-2014, 10:55 PM   #4
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

I don't think it would hold up if you drive the truck a lot. Vinyl paint holds up well in spots that aren't heavily trafficked but not so well on areas that are. For example on bucket seats with bolsters that you routinely brush past getting in and out. Lasts for about 1-2 years on those.
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Old 11-07-2014, 11:02 PM   #5
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

What do you think they used at the factory (for the rubber mats)? Not sure I'd paint seats.
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Old 11-08-2014, 12:45 AM   #6
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

I believe, if GM did the same process for its mats as Chrysler, the mats were formed with colored rubber.
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Old 11-08-2014, 01:40 AM   #7
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

I've had good luck using Rit dye (yes, the laundry dye) on rubber and plastic, though I've only done it on black trim and rubber.

Anything paint related is not going to hold up. A dye will penetrate the pores and be absorbed where a paint will simply rest on top until disturbed.

Might be worth picking up a bottle and doing a test on the backside of the floor mat (that isn't seen). It might take more than one coat to soak in enough to cover up stains. You can get the basic colors at most supermarkets or Walmarts in the laundry isle. Fabric stores, like JoAnnes, have a larger selection.
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Old 11-08-2014, 02:55 AM   #8
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

I would agree with others ...Painted rubbber will not last and cracks will soon show up in the paint
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Old 11-08-2014, 06:56 AM   #9
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

I changed a set of floor mats from cream to saddle with vinyl dye and it worked well. You can see wear spots but overall I was surprised how nice it looks and how well they are holding up. If I can remember to do it, Ill post a few pics.

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Old 11-08-2014, 11:48 AM   #10
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

Quote:
Originally Posted by 70LonghornCST View Post
I believe, if GM did the same process for its mats as Chrysler, the mats were formed with colored rubber.
Im kind of leaning towards a dye or something. 68 custom mat here, blue on front, black on back, blue wearing off expising black.
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Old 11-08-2014, 02:31 PM   #11
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

Quote:
Originally Posted by 70LonghornCST View Post
I believe, if GM did the same process for its mats as Chrysler, the mats were formed with colored rubber.
I'm not sure. Looking at my original colored rubber mat after 40+ years - it's stiff, unlike what you buy today aftermarket - but if it's just aged rubber, I can see that only the top is colored (not colored throughout). Here's a pic of a piece of original floor mat, with original color (arrow pointing to it). It's got a shine to it, unlike rubber. Which is why I think it's a vinyl paint used from the factory.



Comparing the aftermarket black mat (background) to the original mat (foreground, center not outlined areas), you can see how it appears 'filled' or covered with paint vs. the bare rubber aftermarket. The black mat shown is supposedly the same stamp/die used as factory.



Quote:
Originally Posted by 70cst View Post
I would agree with others ...Painted rubbber will not last and cracks will soon show up in the paint
I agree with the cracking. My door panels are vinyl, the vinyl paint adhered well. The floor mat being a rubber has more flex. But, since it lays stationary and not moving, I'd think the vinyl paint would hold well. Especially if covered with another mat for protection.

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Old 11-08-2014, 03:09 PM   #12
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

The OEM factory mat in my 68 is dyed gold over black
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Old 11-08-2014, 03:59 PM   #13
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

Post 3 in this thread refers to the Price and Facts Book where the original floor mats are called "color keyed vinyl coated rubber floor mats". So apparently vinyl was applied over the rubber which made it long lasting. Probably not something one could easily do as a DIY.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...78#post4336778
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Old 11-08-2014, 05:47 PM   #14
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozark Tim View Post
Has anyone ever painted a rubber floor mat to replace an original color keyed mat. The blue on my original is rather faded and I would like to do it right if anyone has suggestions.
Thanks for any help
Tim
From what I'm reading here, I think I'd first dye it, then paint it.
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Old 11-09-2014, 05:55 PM   #15
Ozark Tim
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Re: Painting a rubber floor mat

Thanks for the input.
For sure the factory applied color to black mats. I was thinking that acetone or some other etching chemical added to vinyl paint could do the trick but just not certain.
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